Middle School Music Lessons Enhance Algebra Skills
June 18, 2010Music and the Algebra connection
We’ve heard the term “music makes you smarter”. Those of us in arts education or who value arts education know and understand the benefits of music, dance, theater and visual arts for all kids. We can’t imagine our lives without them and we are always puzzled when someone suggests we eliminate any of these programs from students education.
Periodically researchers study the impact of arts education on the development of children. In an article written by Tom Jacobs and dated June 14, 2010 found on a website called Miller-McCune the author reviews a study that shows the correlation between playing a musical instrument and success in Algebra.
The study, done by researcher Barbara Helmrich from Baltimore’s College of Notre Dame, looked at 6,026 ninth graders in six of Maryland’s school district. Her findings included that students who were given instruction on a musical instrument in grades 6, 7 and 8 outperformed their peers.
You can read an Abstract of Dr. Helmrich’s study or download the entire dissertation by clicking here.
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